The Fernweh Saga: Book One (Discussion) [💚 Game Update, Post 1214]

[lo6otia]

Yeah, I know I wasn’t trying to make an argument or something. Sorry if it came out this way

Edit: I just love to read all of others’ theories about Fernweh

[furyleika]

Oh no, it didn’t! I just wanted to reiterate that I’m not sure I believe me. It’s just a fun thought.

[Lambkin]

@lo6otia

everyone in Fernweh is a chess piece on the ???'s board

Oh, your mention of chess pieces reminded me of an ask Aelsa answered a few months ago; I wonder if you all have seen it:

The Fernweh Saga IF

I love what she says for the W (it feels very powerful and in control), and I find it very interesting how the piece that represents J can change depending on things that can happen in the JR route based on choices made (I’m not well-versed in chess, but I imagine this can encourage a lot more theorizing).

I hope you all have been doing well and are having a nice day!

[JBento]

@Lambkin

I find it very interesting how the piece that represents J can change depending on things that can happen in the JR route based on choices made

Huh, fun stuff: one of the moves you can make with the rook is called “castling”; when castling, the king moves two squares to the corner of the board, while the rook moves to the other side of the king. This move is meant as a way to mobilise your rook and protect your king at the same time.

[ZealousImagination]

Hmm does this make the MC the queen then? It certainly seems fitting for multiple reasons. But B worries me, the symbolism of the pawn really can go either way.

Oh, and chess is a 2 player game, is the W playing against ??? perhaps?

[h_neptune]

@ZealousImagination

Oh, and chess is a 2 player game, is the W playing against ??? perhaps?

… Oh, but then they’d be playing against themself. . . /j???

@furyleika

The ??? is very angry that we left. They also act possessive of MC. At least in R’s dream, they imply that you should choose them instead of R. Edit 2: “I’m better than him in every conceivable way.”

So my absolutely unhinged guess is that we were supposed to marry ??? (in the future, not as a child) which our family tried to stop, which led to the murdering. And now we’re back and it still wants us. Or needs us to maintain some kind of balance with the town? Dunno.

Something like this has passed through my head before, too. Or maybe not marry, but being pledged in some way? But that’s just wild guessing on my part that I’m not too married to.

I’m 50/50 on whether their motivations for wanting MC have some sort of romantic/“romantic” element to it or not. … Or whether it could be the case that they’d be willing to use the pretense of romantic love to manipulate the MC into falling into a trap. (Honeypot W??? lol)

@furyleika

Also song lyrics?? I’m really bad at interpreting symbolism y’all but they support this nonsense.

Song lyrics like…? “ I was made for lovin’ you, baby, You were made for lovin’ me… ”

Like, okay, that but what if literal?

[lo6otia]

@ZealousImagination

Hmm does this make the MC the queen then? It certainly seems fitting for multiple reasons. But B worries me, the symbolism of the pawn really can go either way.

What better role for the MC than queen?

And about B - maybe his path can go both ways depending on his relationship with MC. The pawn can become queen or be sacrificed early game. Don’t forget there is a stat page with status: alive for every character. For now…

W: They would never allow themself to be on the board.
Great, then if we’re nice to them W maybe will help us to escape the board also.

[random-dude]

This is hilarious lol.

Since ??? Is affecting our choice here, is it possible that ??? has a degree of self-awareness? Would be cool if it actually knows that this is fiction. But seems really unlikely and the choice is probably just for aesthetic.

[lacunafiction]

@notajediyet Thank you so much for taking the time to experience Fernweh and share some insights about your playthrough. I’m also grateful for your kind words. The effect of the abandonment issues on the story is a very interesting one; I’m curious to see how your JR romancing MC navigates those conflicting feelings. Gradually coming to the realization that there could be something more between the trio could be shaded by a fear of being left again or the learned behavior of not getting too close. I love how you mention their full support of your MC is already shining through; there’s even more in store. I grinned at your Power Puff Girl reference.

I can see R making a comment about being associated with Bubbles from the Powerpuff Girls. XD “But Blossom was my favorite…” Meanwhile, J is fine because they know you’re referencing their hair color and don’t take it as mock seriously as R does to get a smile from your MC or more likely some snarky banter.

@notajediyet

I’m so committed to J/R, but W is too tempting…

I’ll admit that I’m pleased that they’ve intrigued you. I would encourage you to the W. They have a lot of missable (or I guess ‘exclusive’ might be the better term) content next book because we all know how they can be about MCs making an effort to seek them out. The audacity? Confidence? Or maybe they just like it that way, lol.

@Devan_Hudson

I just wanted to let you know this has been one of my favorite books

Thank you! I’m so happy that you enjoyed Fernweh and are eager to continue your travels within the eerie town.

@random-dude

Is there any Demo for book 2? Or rather is book 2 WIP or not?

As @furyleika said, I’m working diligently on Book Two. (Thank you, Molly! I would like everyone to know, but I’m not always on, so I sincerely appreciate that help) It’s been going very well; I’m trying to shift my schedule to block out more hours to write. I’ll let you all know when the demo has a release date–it will likely be well in advance so the news will hopefully spread!

I’m also glad that ???'s humor earned a laugh from you; they have some interesting roles for the MC.

---

Best wishes to you all! I’m also loving the thoughts and theories about the Fernweh Gang’s chess pieces along with the insight on chess strategies.

[JBento]

@lacunafiction

the thoughts and theories about the Fernweh Gang’s chess pieces along with the insight on chess strategies.

I find it odd for R to be the King, a piece whose job is basically “serve as a winning condition for the other side.” So far, R feels like the Queen, a highly agressive piece that can get in very hot water very fast if you’re not careful with it.

[random-dude]

@JBento

King, a piece whose job is basically “serve as a winning condition for the other side.”

MC fits the king piece more than? Having all the game centered around protecting him from whatever ??? is planning. (Unless that waitress pulls a big one on us which she is 100% gonna)

[ChiggerCat]

@lo6otia

My interpretation is that everyone in Fernweh is a chess piece on the ???'s board.

I thought the same thing when at the start of the book after reading the prelude and the following:
to play out your role as intended. The ??? seems to be hinting that the ‘game’ has been waiting for the MC’s return. All the key characters seem to play a role.

I also have read the post mentioned by @Lambkin and found it interesting that J’s role can change based on choices.

@ZealousImagination

Hmm does this make the MC the queen then?

I envision that the MC is the Queen. They are the most powerful piece on the board and can attack or defend as needed. They are to be protected at all times. I would argue that they are the most important piece on the board.

@h_neptune

Or maybe not marry, but being pledged in some way?

This is an interesting theory that I had not considered before reading your comment. Could the winner of the game be awarded the Queen? You capture pieces in chess, right? @JBento

@random-dude

MC fits the king piece more than? Having all the game centered around protecting him from whatever ??? is planning.

I do see your point with the game centering on the MC since our return seems to changes things–this could speak to importance. I think either of the two main royals could fit for the MC. One thing I thought about that I believe @EvilChani mentioned is how R’s role as a Verner might be limiting on him, which could fit better with the King piece? I could see Ms. V being a rival Queen or something like that with how she acts. I perceive that the MC has more freedom of movement within Fernweh than R. But I agree that R’s personality could get them in hot water like @JBento said.

My poor Sweet Bee… A Pawn.

[JBento]

@ChiggerCat

You capture pieces in chess, right?

There’s multiple terms for removing an opponent’s piece from the board. “Capture” is indeed one. The more common one appears to be “take” (e.g., “knight takes bishop”). But this is a secondary concern in chess; taking your opponent’s pieces is a means to ends: remove their offensive capability and open the way to check-mating. The pieces that you definitely have to deal with are the kings (keeping yours safe, check-mating the opponent’s). If you can somehow bypass all the others, including the queen, that’s gravy.

@ChiggerCat

A Pawn.

There’s a lot of them, but if you’re careful and manage one well, you can make it a queen!

And then there’s communist chess, where the pawns unite, stage a revolution, topple the rooks, dismount the knights, stab the bishops, and behead the queen and king.

[ChiggerCat]

@JBento

There’s a lot of them, but if you’re careful and manage one well, you can make it a queen!

Oh, hmmmm, that is a fact that I had forgotten. So, if Sweet Bee is indeed a Pawn, then if the Queen is captured, Bee can become a Queen. Basically, Bee can take the MCs place. I wondered why Bee was allowed to visit Fernweh? There are hints…the towns people staring, A saying that they don’t get visitors, etc…Has anyone else ever wondered why Bee was allowed in the town @Snowflower (another Bee lover)?

@JBento

there’s communist chess

Maybe this will happen to the ???

[Snowflower]

@ChiggerCat

Has anyone else ever wondered why Bee was allowed in the town @Snowflower (another Bee lover)?

I think Bee’s arrival in the town was indeed random chance. They really shouldn’t have been there–the sole reason why they were placed on the board at all is that they were a supportive friend who couldn’t let their buddy deal with their estranged grandfather’s death alone. But ??? is an old, old monster, and old monsters don’t get that way if they aren’t adaptable…

@ChiggerCat

I agree that ??? must be very old; maybe it was bored and wanted a new Pawn. Liven things up like when you give a cat a new mouse toy (with extra cat nip on it).

Too bad that ??? doesn’t know that chess is a two-player game, and instead of a pawn, they ended up trapping themselves in with a fellow player (a pity that MC can’t have “chess” as their childhood hobby, otherwise they may have a possible Elo rating).

@ChiggerCat

It would be even worse if the MC didn’t try to go or maybe thought something happened to Bee like another missing person or disappearance.

I doubt anyone would think that B just straight up left (or abandoned) their MC in the town.*

I think B’s inability to leave was cemented the second they witnessed some of the paranormal activity (and MC’s departure was an aberration and Mr. Verner’s death is connected somehow to MC’s departure). You think ???'s going to let their private playground be revealed to all if B leaves? And I have no doubt B would absolutely spread the secrets of Fernweh even if they are branded a crazy person for doing so, if it means that they might save MC.

[ChiggerCat]

@Snowflower Wouldn’t it have been devastating if Sweet Bee could have left at the end of Book 1? Here he goes running over the line and he keeps going and he can’t get back into town. I can imagine the horrified look on my Daisy’s face. It would be even worse if the MC didn’t try to go or maybe thought something happened to Bee like another missing person or disappearance.

I doubt anyone would think that B just straight up left (or abandoned) their MC in the town.*

I agree that ??? must be very old; maybe it was bored and wanted a new Pawn. Liven things up like when you give a cat a new mouse toy (with extra cat nip on it).

*Edit: From what I have seen, B is viewed as a solid friend by most players, so this is why I would be surprised if MCs would think he did it on purpose. I guess the abandonment issues could impact perception.

[h_neptune]

@ChiggerCat

agree that ??? must be very old; maybe it was bored and wanted a new Pawn. Liven things up like when you give a cat a new mouse toy (with extra cat nip on it).

Maybe it can’t leave the town either and being stuck in one place makes it into a big ol’ grumpy, cranky control freak?

[ChiggerCat]

@h_neptune

Maybe it can’t leave the town either

That is an interesting theory. Would ??? want to leave town if they were in total control (I assume it/they control the Board). Although I can see how being locked in one place might get boring after a while and make them mean, if not petty. Their humor is dark. Maybe it’s a coping mechanism, or I could be giving them too much credit.

[Snowflower]

Some fey legends I’ve read have them being the strongest on their home ground (and that they don’t stray very far from their territory for that reason). So I suspect that ??? could leave and pursue MC or anyone that successfully escapes them (which itself is a tall order), however they would be weaker the further they get from Fernweh (and possibly weaker still if they follow their quarry into a city or other region rich in cold iron and steel), and they wouldn’t want the hunter (them) to become the hunted.

[ChiggerCat]

@Snowflower

Some fey legends I’ve read have them being the strongest on their home ground

I don’t know that much about feys and that is a interesting fact. I can see that the ??? would want the MC to come back to town rather than pursuing them. Home court advantage so to speak. The ??? would not wish to be weak in front of the MC, perhaps wanting a true battle or game to unfold between them. I still go back to a comment I made about there being a ‘warm-up’ or priming.

@Snowflower

they follow their quarry into a city or other region rich in cold iron and steel

I never thought about how Fernweh’s heavily forested and remote setting could lend itself to this! My mind is a little blown if this could further the ??? advantages since the town is small and also spread out rather than a city. I am not sure what cold iron is? Is there a way to treat metal so it harms fey–I don’t think we know the full capabilities of the dagger or what it’s made out of.

@Snowflower

they don’t stray very far from their territory for that reason

I wonder if there is any part of Fernweh where they are weaker or stronger then? If the whole town is their board or if they have some squares (to continue the chess analogy) that might have been won or altered. (I am pretty sure the pieces can go on both colors (@JBento).I could be mixing up checkers. Look, I haven’t played either in a while.) I guess we might see this during the series.